Puzzle.



PATEN'I'ED DEC. 0;

M. E. MERTES.

PUZZLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, 1907.

avlwzufoi THE NORRIS Psfsks cm, WASHVINGTON, D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL E. MERTES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PUZZLE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 10, 1907'.

Application filed May 20. 1907. Serial No. 374.616-

' following is a specification.

This invention is an apparatus designed in simulation of a game of ball and having for its object to provide an apparatus which will require some skill and care in its manipulation in order to succeed.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a plan view thereof. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Referring specifically to the drawings, 6 indicates a board or base which is'substantially diamond-sha ed, but has at one end or corner a semicircu ar enlargement or extension indicated at 7. A strip 8 extends around the edge of the board and projects above the surface thereof to form confining sides which will hold the marbles with which the game is played 011 the board. The board also has a series of strips set therein to form a diamond-shaped runway, said strips being indicated at 9, 10 and 11. The strip 9 extends from the home base to or toward first base, the strip 10 extends from first base to second and third, and the strip 11 extends from third base home, forming a diamondsha ed runway connecting the bases. At each base or corner is a circular opening 12, which form traps as hereinafter explained. The ends of the strips 9, 10 and 11 are spaced from each other, as shown, leaving passages indicated at 13 through which a marble may roll. The portion 7 of the board extends out beyond the second base and will be known as the field. It is separated, from the runway by strips 14 and 15' between the adjacent ends of which is a space 16, and at the distant ends of which are spaces 16 through which a ball or marble may roll.

In working the puzzle, a marble is placed at the pitchers position, or in the angle of the partition 10, as indicated at 17. Another marble is placed in the field, as indicated at 18. Another marble is placed at the beginning of the runway to first base, as indicated at 19. The effort will then be directed to causing the marble 19 to travel around the runway and back to home base without causing the 'marble 17 to 1 run through the openings 18 and without causing the marble 18 to run through the openings 16 and 16 and without allowing the marble 19 to pass out of the runway through any one of said openings, or lodging in any of the holes 12. By manipulation of the board the marble 19 may be caused to run around the runway to the first base position and avoid the hole thereat and then down the runway to the second base position avoiding the hole 12 thereat and also avoiding the openings 16 and 16 The assage from second to third and from thir to home, without allowing the balls 17 and 18 to leave their positions and roll into the runway will be attended with more difficulty, but may by care and skill be accomplished, bringing the ball 19 finally to the home osition. Amusement and entertainment wi follow from efforts to solve the puzzle. The holes 12 may, if desired, be omitted, to decrease the difliculty of success.

I claim:

A puzzle comprising a board simulating a ball field and having a diamond and an outer field, a strip extending around the edge of the board, said strip being curved around said outer field, inner strips parallel to and spaced from the edge of the diamond to form a runway, the sides of the runway having openings opposite the bases or corners into the center of the diamond, and also an opening into the field, and the runway having holes at the bases, a ball to be rolled around in the runway, and other balls in the diamond and the field.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

MICHAEL MERTES.

Witnesses NELLIE FELTSKOG, H. G. BATCHELOR. 

